Learn from nature at a permaculture farm and food forest in Oberösterreich, Austria

Details

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  Description

  We are cultivating a 30+ year old edible forest garden – one of the oldest established systems in Central Europe. Over three decades, this ecosystem has matured into a living example of long-term permaculture design.
  In addition, we manage:
  • a 10-year-old forest garden with Chinampa-inspired water systems
  • experimental syntropic agroforestry trials
  • numerous permaculture bed systems and regenerative design elements
  
  This is not a commercial farm.
  We do not sell to markets.
  We receive no government subsidies.
  We grow primarily for self-sufficiency and ecological research.
  
  This place is especially interesting if you want to gain hands-on experience in:
  • long-term forest garden development
  • syntropic agroforestry systems
  • water management & Chinampa structures
  • perennial polycultures
  • regenerative soil building
  • practical permaculture implementation beyond theory
  You will not just help – you will understand systems that have been evolving for decades.
  
  This is ideal for:
  • students of agriculture, ecology or environmental sciences
  • permaculture enthusiasts who want to see mature systems
  • people seriously interested in regenerative land use
  
  If you are mainly looking for a party atmosphere or a social backpacker hub, this might not be the right place.
  
  International Volunteers
  We have hosted volunteers from all over the world for more than 15 years and have been part of Workaway for 10 years.
  Many of our past volunteers appreciated the depth of learning and the authentic hands-on experience.
  
  
  Practical Information
  Arrival: Sunday evening
  Departure: Friday evening or Saturday morning

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Writing

  

  Culture

  

  Events & social

  

  Farming

  

  Music

  

  History

  

  Books

  

  Hiking

  

  Nature
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers at our project experience a true cultural exchange: you will live, work and share daily life with people from Austria and around the world. Through this immersion, you gain insights into different ways of life, communication styles, and perspectives, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
  
  You will also learn practical skills that are hard to acquire elsewhere, including:
  
  Forest garden management – from planting and maintaining perennials to designing multi-layered ecosystems
  
  Syntropic agroforestry – hands-on experience with advanced regenerative techniques
  
  Permaculture practices – soil building, companion planting, crop rotation, water management, and creating resilient food systems
  
  Community living skills – teamwork, shared responsibility, organization, and cooperative problem-solving
  
  Self-sufficiency & sustainability – preparing meals from garden produce, understanding resource cycles, and minimizing waste
  
  Beyond practical skills, volunteers also develop personal growth: patience, observation, adaptability, and a deeper connection to nature.
  
  This exchange is not only about work — it’s about gaining knowledge, new perspectives, and experiences that you can carry into your studies, career, or personal life.

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  Help

  Over the past 10+ years, we have worked with volunteers and interns from all over the world. Many of them have left very positive reviews about their learning experience and the community atmosphere.
  We are considered one of the most established and well-known permaculture projects in Austria. Our 30+ year old edible forest garden has developed into a mature ecosystem and serves as a long-term example of regenerative land use.
  Despite our experience and recognition, we consciously continue to open our space to young people who genuinely want to learn, contribute and grow. Supporting the next generation is an important part of our philosophy.
  We divide tasks according to skills, interests and physical ability. There are many different areas of activity, so everyone can contribute meaningfully and also learn new things.
  Community life is an essential part of the experience here. Cooking together, cleaning shared spaces and keeping the volunteer accommodation tidy are part of our shared responsibility.
  Nobody is assigned only to cooking or cleaning — everyone participates in all aspects of daily life.
  This is not a place where you simply complete 5 hours a day and disappear. We value living, learning and growing together as a community.
  If you are mainly looking for a low-cost holiday stay, this may not be the right match.
  If you are genuinely interested in contributing to a long-term ecological project and becoming part of a responsible and motivated community, you will feel very comfortable here.
  Being a volunteer here means taking responsibility, showing initiative and respecting the shared space.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner
  Swahili (Kiswahili): Beginner

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  Accommodation

  I have travelled the world myself and have seen many different types of accommodation. What we offer is not luxury — and it is not meant to be.
  This project is about learning, experiencing and personal growth. The focus here is on what you can discover, practice and understand — not on comfort tourism.
  
  Sleeping
  
  We have a shared bedroom with bunk beds and a newly built bathroom with shower and compost toilet.
  In addition, there is our round house with an intermediate ceiling, which many volunteers enjoy using as a unique sleeping space.
  The accommodation is simple, functional and clean — in harmony with the spirit of the project.
  
  Meals During the Week
  
  We have breakfast together at 7 am and lunch together around 1 pm.
  In the evening we do not cook a full meal. There are leftovers from lunch or bread and salad available between 7 pm and 8 pm.
  Volunteers also have access to their own kitchen.
  We cook vegan, without substitute products such as tofu or seitan. We primarily use food grown in our gardens.
  
  Weekends, Private Time & Exploring Austria
  
  On weekends, we consciously enjoy our family life and private time.
  Volunteers are independent during this time and can use their own kitchen in the accommodation. If they wish to cook for themselves — whether during the week or on weekends — they are welcome to do so.
  If someone prefers to prepare meals according to their personal preferences, including animal products, this is possible in the volunteer kitchen. However, any additional food items purchased individually must be covered at the volunteer’s own expense.
  If volunteers feel like cooking together in the evening, the separate kitchen in the volunteer area is always available.
  
  Weekends also offer plenty of opportunities to explore. Austria’s most important tourist highlights can be reached within about three hours by train. Closer to us, you will find beautiful mountain landscapes, refreshing lakes, and charming medieval towns waiting to be discovered.
  
  This structure allows both community time and healthy personal space — as well as space for adventure.
  
  Important: We do not accept dogs.

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  What else ...

  How to Reach Us
  We are conveniently located:
  • 1 hour by train from Salzburg
  • 1.5 hours by train from Vienna
  • 60 km from nearby ski areas and lake districts
  We provide a bike for getting around locally.
  By Public Transport
  1. Take the train to Wels.
  2. From the train station, take bus No. 13 or 14 from the bus stop Gärtnerstraße.
  ◦ Important: Do not take the main entrance; use the high walkway above the rainways to reach the Gärtnerstraße exit.
  3. Ride to Station Stadlhof.
  ◦ Important: Do not stop at Stadlhof Straße — this is too early!
  4. From Station Stadlhof, it is a 5-minute walk to our project.
  Tip: Many volunteers prefer to walk the entire 5 km from Wels train station to us after a long train journey. With light luggage, this takes about 45 minutes and is a pleasant way to stretch your legs and enjoy the surroundings.
  When Buses Are Not Running
  • A collective taxi (“Sammeltaxi”) can be booked at the railway station.
  • Book at least 30 minutes in advance.
  • Check online or ask locally for details.
  This makes visiting us simple and flexible, whether you prefer public transport, cycling locally, or a scenic walk.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Wir haben eine große Nussbaumwiese wo man mit einem Camper stehen kann

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Enten und Hühner

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